Arontius of Bygelswade

.....Recording my sonnet to mark the 2021 fourteenth wedding anniversary with TBT. Life with someone you love really does get better and better over time. The blending of personalities and lives, the growing closer in thoughts, opinions, and feelings. The understanding of each other gained over time. My only regret is that we didn't get married years earlier. :-)

I sing in joy at what the heaven's brought
A verse of love in vibrant waves of sound
Their colors madly wave in forces wrought
To embrace me with their arms tight around

I turn and reach with bounty bold in hand
A gift is made of words I carried far
Bright gems and treasures gathered over land
And deeds from journies under sun and star

Her beauty my soul does drink magic deep
And leaps in wonder to a man once lost
The love she gives brings tears my eyes do weep
I watch in wonder righteous stars are crossed

My world is shaped in glory gowing bright
Her love my pilot through life full of light.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

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.....Continuing to add to the 'Story Sonnet' series for Aelianora. Here is the new addition:

She strokes the wind in grace on soaring flight.
With intense will she scours lands beneath her.
A piercing gaze soon spies a massive might.
An army profoundly vast that eyes blur.
The precisely laid stones run straight and true.
An ageless mark of those who tamed these lands.
Her delight showed in wondrous smile that grew.
Bright Britannia named in joy by these hands.
With gentle thought her heart will rise in song.
To embrace lands most precious to her soul.
A passion strong for history held long.
These deeds she writes on her endless scroll.
This place so flowing green her heart is home.
She loves these peoples such long ways from Rome.

.....and here is it tucked in amidst the remainder:

When her clear sweet call rings out through the air,
A drumbeat rolls across the grassy field.
As goats greet mistress fair with milk so rare,
White gold great treasure from all her friends yield.
Soft silken nectar made warm in the flame.
Ambrosia will condense in many curds.
Withdrawn are waters motion quick to tame.
Wild drink as once was now in gathered herds.
The cloth of gold now wraps the wheel with love.
That is enshrined in her home of deep rest.
Long sleep is watched, signs of hope from above.
Brought forth in celebration when age crest.
From Capra sisters joyful gifts they give.
The nourishment a luscious way to live.

She tames a land of chaos in grasp tight,
Wild nature green with healthy teaming life.
A growth she nurtures with Law gleaming bright.
Her victory a harvest snatched from strife.
The ordered rows of vines and bushy leaves,
Thrum vibrantly in the warm summer heat.
Their chorus in time to a song she weaves.
The words she teaches with fresh water meet.
High notes are taken by goats prancing near.
Low notes are felt in waves from Mother Earth.
A gathering that sustains through the year.
A world she rules to capture Life's birth.
She holds a magic protecting from harm.
All who do thrive on her life-giving farm.

The intricate fiber paths will hold fast.
They find the choices made in cloth tills.
Our seamstress grips the intuitions cast.
And guides blades to arrange life as she wills.
Before her lies the scattered complex shapes.
The geomancy she will read for all.
And pieces rise to cover as she drapes.
To be assembled for the needful call.
A metal sliver holds thread fiber dear.
Cloth of great work is given flame of life.
Two lives are led as finer thread draws near.
Embellishing all cloth with beauty rife.
The endless tapestry dense with its law.
She tames with skill and needles steel which gnaw.

She strokes the wind in grace on soaring flight.
With intense will she scours lands beneath her.
A piercing gaze soon spies a massive might.
An army profoundly vast that eyes blur.
The precisely laid stones run straight and true.
An ageless mark of those who tamed these lands.
Her delight showed in wondrous smile that grew.
Bright Britannia named in joy by these hands.
With gentle thought her heart will rise in song.
To embrace lands most precious to her soul.
A passion strong for history held long.
These deeds she writes on her endless scroll.
This place so flowing green her heart is home.
She loves these peoples such long ways from Rome.

The evil, Ignorance, thrives as foe dark.
Insidious coils smother Learning's flame.
Our warrior of thought with spear will mark.
A guide on human's quest to find his name.
She moves forth with inquisitive mind bright.
Through sources obscure she researches deep.
Dark knowledge made clear by Athena's light.
Announcing to all learning she does reap.
The sharing of skills and fruits of her mind.
She eagerly shows what she can to all.
Her lectures thrill and make more of her kind,
And produce works of mastery most tall.
Her passion is for beauty in all things.
Both of the mind and of the hand all sings.

In high nobility and vigilance
Her evidence of knowledge held on high.
The voice a call of truth in jubilance,
For all to her bright scholar's light draw nigh.
In tall companionship with Laurel peers.
Her fearsome powers of research at hand.
A mentor strong dispelling all their fears.
A strike on ignorance she will demand.
Her Kingdom to protect she'll ever strive,
Defending with all her ability.
In beauty strong from her fingers do thrive,
As from her mind keen credibility.
This lady holds a torch of learning bright.
As she's proclaimed by Crown in Laurel rite.

.....I'll keep practicing. They are becoming easier, so the quality really needs to start coming up as well.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....This one was really out of the muses. I rolled with whatever came to me as opposed to what I typically try to do, which is calculate the weight of every single word. I'm not sure if that method worked better, worse, or no differently than usual. But the end result was a sincere wish to honor TBT on her birthday, as is 'traditional'. :-)

Emerging from the Sun's coronal rings
She strides with purpose and with passion strong
This paragon of beauty in all things
Brings love and life to all who hear her song.

She halts to turn and gaze about
The warmth of Summer's sun coalescing bright
Light gathering to worship most devout
As it whirls joyously within her sight.

She lifts her arm and sweeps across the sky
The stars of heaven's vault fly from her hand
They swiftly spread, yet gentle as a sigh
A blanket nurturing needs of the land.

A Seraph leading with celestial love
With beauty skillfully wrought from above.

With Much Birthday Love to TBT, Aaron.

.....I wrote a second Sonnet for Tsuruko, as a note to send to her to help cheer her up in any way I could. This one is not as good as the first one, but I'll send it anyway and maybe work on it later when the muse hits me over the head just right. :-)

In darkness thunder caused my blood to course
A rhythm timing with my beating heart.
A fierce crescendo of quick pulsing force
To eagerly chas-se in joyous start.

A brilliance blinded me with Heaven's light,
God's messenger upon a glowing steed.
A woman with intent and steadfast sight.
Her aura streaming a banner to heed.

Earth showered me as she abruptly slid.
Time co'alescing in a whirling pool.
She smiled upon me with a welcome bid.
With love and laughter comforting this fool.

This angel charges forth with fear as foe.
With joy she heralds bright love forth to know.

.....With Love to Tsuruko, Aaron / Arontius.

.....I wrote a sonnet for Tsuruko Sensei (MKA Deborah Strub), who is going through some tough health issues at the moment. I wanted to make it extra-special, so I practiced my calligraphy with it as well. From a critical perspective it is not great. But it all came from the heart as I am hoping the best for Tsuruko during these tough times.

Mists swirling as the demon rose grew dark
Fear stalking in the frantic parting wake.
As wing'ed hope fled quickly with evening lark,
To leave deep sadness for this life to take.

In hopeless lands an angel then did stride.
With lighted beacon held before her might.
A sword of justice swung with purpose wide.
To smite the foes who held these lands in night.

With love she smiled in friendship fast she gave.
A generous gold heart for all to see.
Her hand strove forth to lift up those to save.
A warmth that healed to cause the dark to flee.

This woman journeys long paths feared by men.
With hope and laughter life she will then mend.

.....All my thoughts and hopes and healing hugs to you, Tsuruko!

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....Sometimes, an inspiration will just appear seemingly out of nowhere. Sort of like a dream sequence. I don't actually remember my dreams very often, and still worse forget them rapidly when I do wake up with them. Much to my regret. Although the below is awkward, and still needs a lot of help in rhyme, meter, and sequencing, I'm scribbling it down here in Live Journal so I remember it. The vision was especially vivid, even if the words recorded are not expressively so.

.....Language is an absolutely amazing thing. It is magical. And it takes skill, and practice, to use with any sort of artistic output. I will master this some day. :-)

A constant companion besides me strides
The figure brooding with encroaching night
His silence ponderous as Earthly tides
That extol passage with sonorous plight

His siblings often in greeting will shout
Their own devices in prominent view
One holds a glass, sand flowing with no doubt
And one holds threads strong, bright shining with dew

I ran on pathways filled always with fear
For I would not speak nor their purpose seek
If I let go, allowing Courage near
New friends would not allow me to be weak.

Let go of fear and embrace your real life
The journey is love removing all strife

.....The sonnet is such a tight medium. It is difficult to distill an expansive thought to such a short verse. But well worth the exercise. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....So, I was asked to write a sonnet for someone whom I admire. I was flattered at the request. But as usual I am never happy with my own results. There is a huge and gaping depth of nothingness between my visions and dreams, and what goes on to the paper I try to translate those vision on to. Some day I'll find that Rainbow bridge. Hopefully, within my lifetime. :-)

The arms reach wide from Sol's departing bows,
His warm embrace remindful of day's gifts.
A blinding brilliance of his gloried vows,
Humility seen as the soul it lifts.

This land's protector stands in service tall.
A victory to all within his cares.
His courage bulwark from chill Evil's call.
His chivalry a mantle bright he wears.

A beacon guiding to a chalice gold.
He holds his lamp of goodness high above.
And gathers those about in shepherds hold.
A calm protector who will lead with love.

His duty sacred held he did not fail.
Has proven worthy of this holy Grail.

.....I may do some more editing, but I should get some personalized input first.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....I was doodling today at the Conference during a section of the discussion that seemed to mainly be a proverbial dog chasing its tail. I resisted checking my cell phone for e-mail and Facebook and just started putting words together. A couple of lines that came together suggested a crossover sonnet for the Aelianora Sonnet Story that has been hanging out there for a while.

.....You can definitely tell that it was not done at the same time as the other four sonnets. It is much more 'airy' than the other sonnets. It has some words that don't quite fit. But I'll take it as it was interesting how it just sort of 'put itself together' without a whole lot of conscious beating by me, which is my usual process.

.....I'll keep it and see if I can smooth it out some at some later date like what happened with the fourth sonnet. :-)

.....The new fifth sonnet:

She tames a land of chaos in grasp tight,
Wild nature green with healthy teaming life.
A growth she nurtures with Law gleaming bright.
Her victory a harvest snatched from strife.

The ordered rows of vines and bushy leaves,
Thrum vibrantly in the warm summer heat.
Their chorus in time to a song she weaves.
The words she teaches with fresh water meet.

High notes are taken by goats prancing near.
Low notes are felt in waves from Mother Earth.
A gathering that sustains through the year.
A world she rules to capture Life's birth.

She holds a magic protecting from harm.
All who do thrive on her life-giving farm.

.....Which fits into the fabric of the story as follows:

When her clear sweet call rings out through the air,
A drumbeat rolls across the grassy field.
As goats greet mistress fair with milk so rare,
White gold great treasure from all her friends yield.

Soft silken nectar made warm in the flame.
Ambrosia will condense in many curds.
Withdrawn are waters motion quick to tame.
Wild drink as once was now in gathered herds.

The cloth of gold now wraps the wheel with love.
That is enshrined in her home of deep rest.
Long sleep is watched, signs of hope from above.
Brought forth in celebration when age crest.

From Capra sisters joyful gifts they give.
The nourishment a luscious way to live.

She tames a land of chaos in grasp tight,
Wild nature green with healthy teaming life.
A growth she nurtures with Law gleaming bright.
Her victory a harvest snatched from strife.

The ordered rows of vines and bushy leaves,
Thrum vibrantly in the warm summer heat.
Their chorus in time to a song she weaves.
The words she teaches with fresh water meet.

High notes are taken by goats prancing near.
Low notes are felt in waves from Mother Earth.
A gathering that sustains through the year.
A world she rules to capture Life's birth.

She holds a magic protecting from harm.
All who do thrive on her life-giving farm.

The intricate fiber paths will hold fast.
They find the choices made in cloth tills.
Our seamstress grips the intuitions cast.
And guides blades to arrange life as she wills.

Before her lies the scattered complex shapes.
The geomancy she will read for all.
And pieces rise to cover as she drapes.
To be assembled for the needful call.

A metal sliver holds thread fiber dear.
Cloth of great work is given flame of life.
Two lives are led as finer thread draws near.
Embellishing all cloth with beauty rife.

The endless tapestry dense with its law.
She tames with skill and needles steel which gnaw.

The evil, Ignorance, thrives as foe dark.
Insidious coils smother Learning's flame.
Our warrior of thought with spear will mark.
A guide on human's quest to find his name.

She moves forth with inquisitive mind bright.
Through sources obscure she researches deep.
Dark knowledge made clear by Athena's light.
Announcing to all learning she does reap.

The sharing of skills and fruits of her mind.
She eagerly shows what she can to all.
Her lectures thrill and make more of her kind,
And produce works of mastery most tall.

Her passion is for beauty in all things.
Both of the mind and of the hand all sings.

She stands in support with stern vigilance.
Her evidence of knowledge held on high.
Her voice a call of truth in jubilance,
For all to her bright scholar's light draw nigh.

In tall companionship with Laurel peers.
Her fearsome powers of research at hand.
A mentor strong dispelling all their fears.
A strike on ignorance she will demand.

Her Kingdom to protect she'll ever strive,
Defending with all her ability.
In beauty strong from her fingers do thrive,
As from her mind keen credibility.

This lady holds a torch of learning bright.
As she's proclaimed by Crown in Laurel rite.

.....Five is a good round number, but I'm getting the feeling I'm not quite done with this story just yet. The ending looks pretty good to me. But the beginning transitions still need some work. So at least one more is coming, if not two, at some point. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....A good sonnet seeks to take a concept, a vision, an idea, and make it something the reader can see viscerally and emotionally when they read the sonnet. Most of my sonnets, including the below, are mediocre mainly because they do not cross the boundary connecting emotion to a concept and making it real. The below was born of a vision I could see in my head, but could not accurately translate into a sonnet. But I'm at least recognizing the difference, which is a step forward. I can also say that I've written at least a few that did successfully make that leap, so I know that it is possible.

.....Practice, practice, practice. The other secret. A completed sonnet always makes me happy as well. No matter how bad I may think it is upon later reflection. :-)

My soul is in a circle drawn on Earth.
The dying sun showed the Four's shadowed length.
To guard and guide breath nourishing through birth,
Their ring of soldiers stood in silent strength.

Earth's circle is mirrored by the heaven's sphere.
An angel's face in silvered halo light.
A presence bringing comfort from all fear,
Who leads on journeys through the early night.

The orb bids farewell as time streams ahead.
The light within will guide me on this path.
The dark without does leave me for the dead.
As stars still shout and chase away the wrath.

The circle does surround as warm embrace.
Forever a life that will echo grace.

.....It starts off rocky, but I start liking where it is headed during the last quatrain.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....Back in March I posted three Sonnets I'd written in honor of Aelianora's elevation to the Laurel. The goal really being a series of Sonnets on a common theme. Parts of them were rather disjointed and didn't fit. I was toying around with them this week and took apart the really bad Sonnet and reconstructed it. I moved one quatrain out of it and wrote a fourth Sonnet around it and then re-wrote a quatrain for the Sonnet I took apart. Made for a total of four Sonnets.

.....I'm liking how it starts, and liking how the final two are falling together. The newly installed Sonnet is a little disjointed in itself, and still doesn't bridge the gap between the start and the finish. But what is here is better than what it was. I think in the end it'll end up being five or six Sonnets total.

.....Here is the series as it was originally:

When her clear sweet call rings out through the air,
A drumbeat rolls across the grassy field.
As goats greet mistress fair with milk so rare,
White gold great treasure from all her friends yield.

Soft silken nectar made warm in the flame.
Ambrosia will condense in many curds.
Withdrawn are waters motion quick to tame.
Wild drink as once was now in gathered herds.

The cloth of gold now wraps the wheel with love.
That is enshrined in her home of deep rest.
Long sleep is watched, signs of hope from above.
Brought forth in celebration when age crest.

From Capra sisters joyful gifts they give.
The nourishment a luscious way to live.

A metal sliver holds thread fiber dear.
Cloth of great work is given flame of life.
Two lives are led as finer thread draws near.
Embellishing all cloth with beauty rife.

She moves forth with inquisitive mind bright.
Through sources obscure she researches deep.
Dark knowledge made clear by Athena's light.
Announcing to all learning she does reap.

The sharing of skills and fruits of her mind.
She eagerly shows what she can to all.
Her lectures thrill and make more of her kind,
And produce works of mastery most tall.

Her passion is for beauty in all things.
Both of the mind and of the hand all sings.

She stands in support with stern vigilance.
Her evidence of knowledge held on high.
Her voice a call of truth in jubilance,
For all to her bright scholar's light draw nigh.

In tall companionship with Laurel peers.
Her fearsome powers of research at hand.
A mentor strong dispelling all their fears.
A strike on ignorance she will demand.

Her Kingdom to protect she'll ever strive,
Defending with all her ability.
In beauty strong from her fingers do thrive,
As from her mind keen credibility.

This lady holds a torch of learning bright.
As she's proclaimed by Crown in Laurel rite.

.....Here is the new series:

When her clear sweet call rings out through the air,
A drumbeat rolls across the grassy field.
As goats greet mistress fair with milk so rare,
White gold great treasure from all her friends yield.

Soft silken nectar made warm in the flame.
Ambrosia will condense in many curds.
Withdrawn are waters motion quick to tame.
Wild drink as once was now in gathered herds.

The cloth of gold now wraps the wheel with love.
That is enshrined in her home of deep rest.
Long sleep is watched, signs of hope from above.
Brought forth in celebration when age crest.

From Capra sisters joyful gifts they give.
The nourishment a luscious way to live.

The intricate fiber paths will hold fast.
They find the choices made in cloth tills.
Our seamstress grips the intuitions cast.
And guides blades to arrange life as she wills.

Before her lies the scattered complex shapes.
The geomancy she will read for all.
And pieces rise to cover as she drapes.
To be assembled for the needful call.

A metal sliver holds thread fiber dear.
Cloth of great work is given flame of life.
Two lives are led as finer thread draws near.
Embellishing all cloth with beauty rife.

The endless tapestry dense with its law.
She tames with skill and needles steel which gnaw.

The evil, Ignorance, thrives as foe dark.
Insidious coils smother Learning's flame.
Our warrior of thought with spear will mark.
A guide on human's quest to find his name.

She moves forth with inquisitive mind bright.
Through sources obscure she researches deep.
Dark knowledge made clear by Athena's light.
Announcing to all learning she does reap.

The sharing of skills and fruits of her mind.
She eagerly shows what she can to all.
Her lectures thrill and make more of her kind,
And produce works of mastery most tall.

Her passion is for beauty in all things.
Both of the mind and of the hand all sings.

She stands in support with stern vigilance.
Her evidence of knowledge held on high.
Her voice a call of truth in jubilance,
For all to her bright scholar's light draw nigh.

In tall companionship with Laurel peers.
Her fearsome powers of research at hand.
A mentor strong dispelling all their fears.
A strike on ignorance she will demand.

Her Kingdom to protect she'll ever strive,
Defending with all her ability.
In beauty strong from her fingers do thrive,
As from her mind keen credibility.

This lady holds a torch of learning bright.
As she's proclaimed by Crown in Laurel rite.

.....In honor of the bright and shining light who is named in this world as 'Rikke' or 'Aelianora'. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.